Amalfi Coast features breathtaking cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea, terraced gardens, and pastel-colored villages, but it can be expensive and draws over 5 million annual tourists. Other Italian coastal regions provide equally stunning scenery without the same crowds. Cinque Terre comprises five linked villages—Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore—connected by trails, paths, and trains and offering local specialties like pesto and Cinque Terre DOC wines. Puglia, forming Italy's heel, is known for beautiful beaches and crystal-blue waters at spots like Baia dei Turchi, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The Cilento Coast offers clear water and excellent food; Calabria adds charming towns.
With breathtaking cliffs towering above the Tyrrhenian Sea, terraced gardens, and pastel-colored villages, it's easy to see why the Amalfi Coast is at the top of many travelers' bucket lists. Despite its charm, though, I've never visited because the area can be expensive to visit and become crowded with the over 5 million tourists who visit each year. Instead, I've worked my way through the country's other extensive coastal regions, and there is no shortage of breathtaking scenery to explore.
Translating to the "five lands," Cinque Terre is a string of villages (Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) in northwestern Italy along the Italian Riviera. Each town has distinctive qualities, from Monterosso al Mare's sandy beaches and Manarola's picturesque overlook to the secluded cliffs of Corniglia. Plus, they're all uniquely connected via hiking trails, walking paths, and train lines, offering a customizable itinerary for every traveler.
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